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Your kitchen will fill with the mouth-watering smell of sweet apples and spicy cinnamon when you make these delightful Apple Fritter Bites. They're soft, puffy treats packed with chunks of apple and topped with a crispy apple cider coating that brings the taste of fall right to your table.
I've tried so many different ways to make apple fritters over the years, but when I figured out how to bake them instead of frying? Total game-changer! My kids now beg for these instead of the traditional fried ones!
Smart Ingredient Choices
- Fresh apples: Grab some crisp, tangy ones like Granny Smith
- Apple cider: Look for the cloudy, unfiltered kind for bigger flavor
- All-purpose flour: This makes your bites nice and soft
- Pure vanilla extract: It makes the apple taste even better
- Ground cinnamon: Adds that cozy fall feeling
Crafting Delicious Bites
- Apple preparation
- Cut your apples into small, same-sized cubes so they cook evenly.
- Batter mixing
- Stir wet and dry stuff together but don't go crazy with mixing.
- Perfect portioning
- A cookie scoop helps make all your bites the same size.
- Even baking
- Turn the pan around halfway to get that nice golden color all over.
- Glaze creation
- Keep stirring that cider glaze until it's super smooth.
- Glaze application
- Give those warm bites a quick dunk for the best coating.
- Setting time
- Wait a bit so the glaze gets that nice crackly finish.
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I discovered that adding a bit of boiled cider to the topping makes the apple flavor pop like crazy. It's now my little secret for making these bites something people can't forget.
Breakfast Companions
Nothing beats having these little treats with some hot coffee or warm spiced cider. If you're putting together a nice brunch, try serving them with some yogurt and fresh fruit for a well-rounded morning meal.
Tasty Twists
Try different kinds of apples throughout the year to see what you like best. You can also toss in spices like cardamom or ginger for something different, or drizzle some caramel on top if you're feeling fancy.
Keeping Them Tasty
You can keep them without glaze in a sealed container for a couple days. Just warm them up a little and add fresh glaze right before you eat them for the best taste.
I've worked on this recipe through many fall seasons and found that getting everything just right makes all the difference - from how big you cut the apples to how thick you make the glaze. When you nail that perfect mix of soft dough, juicy apple bits, and crunchy topping, you've made something that truly captures fall in a bite.
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Recipe FAQs
- → Which apples are best for this?
- Try Honeycrisp or Gala—they're sweet and hold up nicely. Fuji and Pink Lady work too.
- → Can I prep these early?
- They're best fresh, but will stay good for 2 days at room temp if kept covered.
- → What if my glaze doesn't brown?
- Get your broiler nice and hot, and put the pan close to the heat. Turn it around halfway through.
- → Can I freeze them?
- Yep, just skip the glaze. Freeze for up to 3 months, thaw and glaze before serving.
- → How small should the apple pieces be?
- Around 1/4 inch works. Bigger pieces can make the bites fall apart.
Glazed Apple Bites
Fluffy little bites filled with apple chunks and covered in a sugary glaze. Perfect for fall munchies.
Ingredients
→ Apple Bites
→ Cider Glaze
Steps
Fire up your oven to 400°F. Lightly coat your baking pan with nonstick spray to keep things from sticking.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt, and give it a good stir until evenly combined.
In a larger bowl, mix melted butter with sugar. Toss in your egg, vanilla, and applesauce. Keep whisking until everything feels smooth and velvety.
Add your dry mix into the wet one, mixing just until they're combined—stop once it comes together! Carefully fold in those chopped apples.
Scoop spoonfuls of batter onto the prepared tray, spacing them out. Pop it in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
While you wait, whisk the powdered sugar with apple cider or juice until it's smooth and pourable.
Once they're out, switch your oven to broil mode. Brush the freshly baked bites with some glaze and broil for 2-4 minutes, rotating as needed until it bubbles. Pour the rest of the glaze and let it set for 15 minutes before you serve.
Notes
- Best enjoyed fresh the same day for the glaze texture
- Dice apples into small pieces for better texture
- Keep an eye while broiling—don’t let them burn!
Required Equipment
- Baking tray
- Bowls for mixing
- Whisk or fork
- Brush for glazing
- Measuring tools (cups and spoons)
Allergen Information
Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
- Eggs present
- Contains dairy
- Has gluten (from wheat flour)